Ever since 1998 Dallas Mavericks fans have had the pleasure to watch and root for one of the greatest NBA players of all time. Dirk is an NBA Champion, Finals MVP, League MVP, 13x All-Star, and 12x All-NBA. Along with racking up these impressive accolades, Dirk Nowitzki has gone toe-to-toe with many of the greatest players to ever step on a basketball court. Not only has he competed against the best but Dirk has many times beaten the best. Enjoy this list of some of the greatest players that Dirk Nowitzki has played against including matchup stats, win/loss record, and top games for each. Looking through this history of data one thing is for sure, Dirk can take on anybody.

Dirk versus Timmy

From 1999 to 2016, Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan went head to head 90 times, 57 times in the regular season and 33 times in the playoffs. Duncan came into the league in 1998, one year prior to Dirk and 2 years older. Both played their whole career with one team and both of those teams are in the same division. In his 19 years in the NBA Tim Duncan is a 5x NBA Champion, 2x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 1998 Rookie of the Year, 15x All-Star, 15x All-NBA, and 15x All-Defense. On the all time leaderboards you will find him 10th in games played, 14th in points, 6th in rebounds, and 5th in blocks. Tim Duncan is widely considered one of the greatest big men of All-Time, but there were many times throughout their rivalry where Dirk Nowitzki was the best player on the court.

Dirk Versus Tim Duncan Regular Season – 57 Games

Regular Season Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TOV

PF

PTS

GmSc

Duncan

35

22

35.8

11.2

2.9

0.6

1.9

2.6

2.5

20.2

16.88

Nowitzki

22

35

36.1

8.5

2.4

0.8

0.9

1.4

2.8

20.4

15.23

Regular Season Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Duncan

7.5

14.7

51%

0

0.1

25%

5.3

7.4

72%

Nowitzki

7.4

16.4

45%

1.1

3.1

37%

4.5

5.1

88%

Duncan has a pretty big edge on Dirk in terms of regular season win percentage in their head to head matchups, winning 61% of the games. Dirk had a slightly higher points per game average, had more steals, and a much better assists to turnover ratio while Duncan was clearly the better of the two in rebounding and blocks. I know it probably shouldn’t bug me, but it does.

Regular Season Top Games

These are the top performances by either player ranked by Game Score. This is a formula developed by John Hollinger to give a rough measure of a player’s productivity in a single game. Players are given credit for made shots, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, and penalized for missed shots, turnovers, and fouls.

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Duncan

19

28

0

0

15

15

11

4

0

3

53

42.8

Duncan

10

20

0

0

13

18

16

5

3

3

33

33

Duncan

12

20

0

0

8

9

14

4

2

1

32

31.7

Nowitzki

15

29

1

1

10

12

12

0

0

1

41

30.2

Duncan

12

21

0

0

8

10

14

5

1

2

32

29

When it comes to the top individual games by either play Duncan has the advantage. His 53 point performance in overtime in December of 2001 is by far the best game by either of these two in a regular season head to head. Looking at the top 10 games ranked by Game Score, Duncan holds 7 of the 10 top games. If we just ranked it by points, Nowitzki would have a majority of the top games but when you look at overall performance, Duncan’s rebounding and shot blocking are the difference maker.

Dirk versus Tim Duncan Playoffs – 33 Games

The 33 games that these two legends played against each other in the playoffs spanned 6 different series from 2001 to 2014. In the 6 matchups, Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs won 4 of them.

Year

Round

Winner

Result

2001

WC Semi

Spurs

4-1

2003

WC Final

Spurs

4-2

2006

WC Semi

Mavs

4-2

2009

First Round

Mavs

4-1

2010

First Round

Spurs

4-2

2014

First Round

Spurs

4-3

Although the Win/Loss record in the playoff is closer than the regular season records between the two, Duncan widened the Game Score difference between the two when you look at individual performance. Both players stepped up in these matchups, each increasing their point and rebounding numbers from the regular season matchups. One thing that really stand out is the fact that Dirk only hit 20% of his 3 point attempts when playing Time Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs, nearly 20% worse than Dirk’s career average. A big testament is Greg Popovic and his ability to coach his players to contest shooters and run them off the 3-point line. Had Dirk been able to knock down a few more from downtown, he could have potentially edged out Duncan for playoff success.

Playoff Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

15

18

39.3

9.6

2.2

1.2

0.7

23.4

18

Duncan

18

15

37.9

11.5

3.1

0.7

1.9

24.1

20.12

Playoff Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

8

16.7

48%

0.4

1.8

20%

6.9

7.6

91%

Duncan

9.3

17.1

55%

0

0.1

0%

5.5

8.3

66%

Playoffs Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

14

24

0

1

14

18

18

2

6

1

42

41.3

Duncan

14

20

0

0

12

19

15

7

1

1

40

37.1

Duncan

12

24

0

1

17

23

15

6

1

3

41

36.2

Duncan

12

19

0

0

10

14

24

6

2

6

34

36.1

Nowitzki

11

20

0

1

15

16

15

3

1

1

37

34.9

Again ranked by Game Score, this time it is Dirk with the best game of the two when it comes to the playoffs. 42 points, 18 rebounds, and 6 steals in a loss at San Antonio in 2001.

What a legendary matchup it was between these two. To span over so many years where both teams and players were great, it has been an absolute pleasure to be able to witness these big men compete. Duncan did it more with low post scoring and spot up bank shots, while being an elite leader and rim protector on the defensive end. Dirk did his work with deep-knee-bend 3’s, the classic one-legged fade, and brought the fire and energy that could make the whole crowd erupt. Although they had very different playing styles, both of these men have to be respected for their loyalty and dedication to their franchise. Stuck in the same division with one another for over 15 years, we were blessed to have these two giants right in our back yard.

Dirk versus The Big Ticket

Kevin Garnett came into the league as the #5 pick in the 1995 Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Garnett being about 2 years older than Nowitzki and playing in the Western Conference for 14 seasons there has been plenty of opportunity for the both of them to square off. KG is a 12x All-Defense, 9x All-NBA, 15x All-Star, 2008 Defensive Player of the Year, and 2008 NBA Champion. Garnett has also played the 6th most games ever and is 9th all time in total rebounds, 18th in blocks, and 17th in points.

Dirk versus Kevin Garnett Regular Season – 37 Games

Regular Season Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

20

17

38

8.2

2.1

0.6

0.8

23.1

17.03

Garnett

17

20

36.8

11.5

4.3

1.2

1.2

21.8

18.97

Regular Season Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

7.9

16.9

47%

1.4

3.5

40%

5.8

6.5

89%

Garnett

8.6

16.6

52%

0.1

0.5

29%

4.4

5.5

79%

Regular Season Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Garnett

13

26

1

1

8

9

10

10

2

2

35

32.6

Garnett

14

20

0

1

3

7

18

5

1

1

31

32

Garnett

14

17

0

0

0

0

15

6

0

5

28

31.5

Garnett

14

24

0

0

3

6

17

8

0

2

31

29.7

Garnett

11

15

2

2

4

4

19

4

1

1

28

29.5

Dirk versus Kevin Garnett Playoffs – 3 Games

In 2002 Dirk, Nash, Finley and the #4 seed Dallas Mavericks went up against Garnett, Billups, Wally Szczerbiak, and the #5 Minnesota Timberwolves. At 23 years old Dirk put together a string of 3 games that Garnett and company simply could not match. He averaged 33 points and 16 rebounds a game and with those young legs he was able to contribute 3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game defensively. Dirk was just red hot all three games, shooting 73% from downtown in this series.

Playoff Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

3

0

43.3

15.7

0.7

3

1.3

33.3

29.39

Garnett

0

3

43.3

18.7

5

1.7

1.7

24

21.52

Playoff Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

10

19

53%

2.7

3.7

73%

10.7

12

89%

Garnett

8

18.7

43%

0.3

0.7

50%

7.7

10.7

72%

Playoff Top Games

All of their performances from 3 games they played against each other in the playoffs.

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

11

17

3

3

14

16

17

0

3

0

39

35

Garnett

9

19

0

1

13

17

18

4

2

3

31

29.4

Nowitzki

9

21

4

5

9

10

15

2

4

1

31

28.1

Nowitzki

10

19

1

3

9

10

15

0

2

3

30

25.1

Garnett

6

18

1

1

6

6

21

6

1

2

19

20.3

Garnett

9

19

0

0

4

9

17

5

2

0

22

14.9

Dirk versus The Black Mamba

Dirk versus Kobe is a matchup of two of the most dominant offensive players ever. Both could get buckets a lot of different ways but their bread and butter has always been the fadeaway. They are the two most loyal Superstars, as far as basketball is concerned, and have had some incredible battles over the years. Kobe Bryant came into the league 2 years before Dirk, in 1996, but Dirk is a couple months older than Kobe who was drafted by the Lakers as an 18 year old straight out of High School. In his 20 years in the NBA he has stacked up accolades like few others: 5x NBA Champion, 2008 MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 18x All-Star, 15x All-NBA, 12x All-Defense, 2x Scoring Champ. Kobe has some of the best scoring performances of all time, one of them in particular against the Mavericks where he scored 62 points in just 3 quarters in a blowout win. In ’05-’06 Kobe just went crazy on the entire NBA and scored 35.4 ppg for the 34-48 Lakers that finished 11th in the West that year. After finishing his career as third all time in points scored, ahead of his role model Michael Jordan, the Black Mamba has proved to be as lethal a scorer as there has ever been.

Dirk versus Kobe Bryant Regular Season – 49 Games

Kobe certainly got the better of Dirk in the regular season win/loss column, winning 65% of their meetings, but Dirk held his own when comparing their individual performances.

Regular Season Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TOV

PF

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

17

32

37

10

2.5

0.9

0.9

1.8

2.8

22.8

17.32

Bryant

32

17

39.2

6.8

5

1.5

0.5

3.4

2.8

25.5

17.89

Regular Season Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

7.8

17.2

46%

1.2

3.2

37%

5.9

7.1

84%

Bryant

8.8

20

44%

1.1

3.8

30%

6.8

8.2

83%

Regular Season Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Bryant

18

31

4

10

22

25

8

0

3

0

62

49.7

Bryant

15

27

2

3

20

27

11

4

1

2

52

39.4

Bryant

11

19

1

3

17

21

10

5

1

1

40

33.1

Bryant

13

27

0

4

14

16

8

6

2

2

40

32.1

Bryant

13

21

4

5

8

10

12

7

0

1

38

31.5

Dirk versus Kobe Bryant Playoffs – 4 Games

It is hard to believe that Dirk and Kobe only met one time in the playoffs but it’s true. Unfortunately for Kobe and the Lakers that one time was 2011 when the Dirk and the Dallas Mavericks would not be stopped. The Mavericks swept Kobe, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and the Lakers in the second round. Once again Dirk shot out of his mind, taking the 50/40/90 club to a whole new level shooting 73% from 3 point land.

Playoff Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

4

0

37.4

9.3

2.5

0.8

0.5

25.3

20.61

Bryant

0

4

37.1

3

2.5

1.8

0.3

23.3

13.56

Playoff Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

9.8

17

57%

2

2.8

73%

3.8

4

94%

Bryant

9.5

20.8

46%

1.3

5.5

23%

3

3.8

80%

Playoff Top Games – All 4 games shown

In game 1 Dirk set the tone with the highest game score of the series in his 28 point 14 rebound performance. Kobe put up a dud in the the closeout game posting just a 3.4 game score.

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

11

22

1

2

5

5

14

3

2

1

28

25

Nowitzki

12

19

4

5

4

4

9

1

0

1

32

22.8

Bryant

14

29

4

9

4

5

5

0

1

1

36

20.3

Nowitzki

9

16

2

3

4

5

7

2

0

0

24

18.1

Bryant

9

20

1

5

4

5

0

3

5

0

23

17.9

Nowitzki

7

11

1

1

2

2

7

4

1

0

17

16.2

Bryant

8

16

0

3

1

1

4

6

1

0

17

12.6

Bryant

7

18

0

5

3

4

3

1

0

0

17

3.4

These are two guys who obviously have a tremendous amount of respect for one another.

Dirk versus Pau

I put Pau Gasol after Kobe for a reason, there is a lot of overlap of games since Gasol and Kobe played together in Los Angeles for several seasons. Dirk Nowitzki, from Germany, and Pau Gasol, from Spain, were the two of the best big men in the NBA during the 2000’s, certainly the best European bigs. Aside from Pau’s time with Los Angeles, he and Dirk had more matchups while Gasol was a member of the Memphis Grizzlies from 2002-2008, including a playoff series in 2006. Of the 26 games that they played against each other while Pau was on Memphis, the matchup was just completely unfair with Dirk and the Mavericks going 23-3.

Dirk versus Pau Gasol Regular Season – 47 Games

Regular season Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

27

20

34.7

8.8

2.8

0.9

0.9

22

16.73

Gasol

20

27

33.8

8.2

3

0.4

0.9

17.6

14.08

Regular Season Shooting Stats

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

7.9

17

47%

1

3.1

33%

5.1

5.9

86%

Gasol

6.9

13.5

51%

0.1

0.3

40%

3.7

4.9

75%

Regular Season Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

14

20

2

2

8

9

10

6

3

4

38

42.6

Gasol

13

23

0

1

10

13

15

5

0

2

36

32.9

Nowitzki

12

23

2

4

5

5

6

4

1

4

31

26.7

Nowitzki

10

27

0

4

12

13

18

2

3

1

32

25.2

Nowitzki

10

19

0

0

11

11

9

1

1

0

31

24.7

Dirk versus Pau Gasol Playoffs – 8 Games

Pau Gasol is a great player. #3 overall pick, ’01-’02 Rookie of the Year, 6x All-Star, 4x All-NBA, and 2x NBA Champion but when matchup against Dirk things just did not go well for him. Dirk swept the 8 playoff games they had against each other, having by far the most dominant games.

Playoff Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

8

0

39.3

8.5

2.8

0.8

0.5

28.3

22.39

Gasol

0

8

37.5

8

3.5

0.5

1

16.4

12.18

Playoff Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

10.1

18.9

54%

2

3.8

53%

6

6.8

89%

Gasol

6

14

43%

0

0.1

0%

4.4

5.9

75%

Playoff Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

12

25

4

10

8

9

9

5

0

1

36

28.8

Nowitzki

9

18

0

3

13

15

11

3

1

0

31

26.2

Nowitzki

11

22

1

2

5

5

14

3

2

1

28

25

Nowitzki

12

19

4

5

4

4

9

1

0

1

32

22.8

Nowitzki

9

19

1

3

12

14

4

1

0

1

31

20.9

(Highlights start at 3:30 mark)

Dirk versus KD

Dirk is 10 years older than Kevin Durant but it only seems fitting to include him he seems like the next evolution of what Dirk Nowitzki started. These are the two best shooting big men of all time, two of the 7 players to ever shoot 90% from free throw and 50% on field goals including 40% from 3 point range while scoring at least 17 points per game. Dirk, KD, and Larry Bird are the only 3 forwards on the list.

Player

Season

Tm

PTS

3P%

FG%

FT%

Stephen Curry

2015-16

GSW

30.1

45.4%

50.4%

90.8%

Larry Bird

1987-88

BOS

29.9

41.4%

52.7%

91.6%

Kevin Durant

2012-13

OKC

28.1

41.6%

51.0%

90.5%

Larry Bird

1986-87

BOS

28.1

40.0%

52.5%

91.0%

Dirk Nowitzki

2006-07

DAL

24.6

41.6%

50.2%

90.4%

Reggie Miller

1993-94

IND

19.9

42.1%

50.3%

90.8%

Mark Price

1988-89

CLE

18.9

44.1%

52.6%

90.1%

Steve Nash

2005-06

PHO

18.8

43.9%

51.2%

92.1%

Dirk versus Kevin Durant Regular Season – 32 Games

Regular Season Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

12

20

32.4

7

2.3

1

0.4

21.4

15.89

Durant

20

12

37.1

7.5

4.1

1

1.1

24.8

18.12

Regular Season Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

7.5

15.6

48%

1.1

3.3

34%

5.3

5.8

93%

Durant

8.2

18.3

45%

2.1

5.3

40%

6.2

7.1

88%

Regular Season Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Durant

13

31

5

9

21

21

9

1

2

0

52

36.1

Nowitzki

17

30

2

4

10

10

8

4

0

2

46

33

Durant

15

27

5

11

8

8

5

6

1

0

43

31

Nowitzki

13

18

2

2

7

8

11

2

2

1

35

30.8

Durant

13

28

4

8

10

10

8

5

1

3

40

30.2

Dirk versus Kevin Garnett Playoffs – 14 Games

Dirk and the Mavericks have had some great games against Durant and the Thunder while he was in Oklahoma City. The first time they met in the playoffs was 2011 when the buzz-saw that was the Dallas Mavericks ripped through Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and the Thunder 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals on their way to a Championship. The Thunder returned the favor in 2012 by sweeping the Mavs in the first round then won 4-1 in 2016 against a 37 year old Dirk.

Playoff Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

5

9

37.6

5.6

2

0.5

0.5

26.4

18.05

Durant

9

5

41.5

7.8

3.6

0.9

1.2

26.9

17.24

Playoff Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

8.9

17.7

50%

0.6

2

32%

8.1

8.6

94%

Durant

8.8

21.4

41%

1.9

6.9

28%

7.4

8.6

85%

Playoff Top Games

Game 1 of the 2011 Western Conference Finals was one of the best of Dirk’s career. 24-24 from the line, 12-15 from the field for 48 points to go along with 4 blocks. Dirk more than held his own against Durant in these matchups.

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

12

15

0

0

24

24

6

4

0

4

48

46.5

Durant

10

18

2

5

18

19

8

5

1

2

40

35.1

Durant

11

15

4

6

5

7

3

6

2

1

31

29.7

Nowitzki

12

20

2

3

14

15

5

3

0

0

40

29.2

Nowitzki

10

25

1

1

13

13

5

4

1

0

34

24.4

Dirk versus LeBron

LeBron James is in the conversation with the best to ever do it and he and Dirk Nowitzki have gone toe to toe on many occasions. LeBron seems to be everywhere on the all time leaderboards: 48th most games played, 5th in points, 56th in rebounds, 11th in assists, and 16th in steals. Hes also a 3x NBA Champion, 4x MVP, 14x All-NBA, 14 All-Star, 6x All-Defense, 2008 scoring Champ, 2004 Rookie of the Year.

Dirk versus LeBron James – 26 Games

In their 26 regular season meeting LeBron holds quite an edge over Dirk in terms of Win/Loss and Game Score. But for Mavs fans, this story is about the playoffs.

Regular Season Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

James

16

10

38

7.7

6.8

1.3

0.6

27.2

21.72

Nowitzki

10

16

35

8.6

3.2

0.7

0.8

20

14.92

Regular Season Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

James

9.6

19.3

50%

1.3

3.7

35%

6.7

8.5

78%

Nowitzki

7.1

16.4

43%

1

2.9

36%

4.7

5.2

90%

Regular Season Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

TRB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

James

16

23

4

7

10

13

5

4

3

0

46

39.2

James

16

23

4

8

6

8

9

6

2

0

42

37.4

James

11

19

0

0

15

19

10

6

2

2

37

34.1

Nowitzki

14

23

1

2

6

6

18

4

1

1

35

33

James

11

20

1

3

9

11

12

9

3

1

32

31.6

Dirk versus LeBron James Playoffs – 6 Games

Dirk is almost 7 years older than LeBron but they met in the 2011 finals in their primes, Dirk was 32 and LeBron was 26. It was the first year of the Miami Super Team and they were on their way to winning not 5, not 6, not 7, until Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks showed up. Dirk had been to the top of the mountain in 2006 against Miami just to get pushed off. Having that experience of failing hardened Dirk into a man on a mission in 2011, he would not be stopped!

Dirk averaged 26 points and 10 rebounds in the series, almost 10 more points than LeBron. When it came to the clutch moments it was Dirk rising and LeBron shrinking. What a glorious time in the life of a Mavs fan.

Playoff Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSC

Nowitzki

4

2

40.4

9.7

2

0.7

0.7

26

16.63

James

2

4

43.6

7.2

6.8

1.7

0.5

17.8

13.71

Playoff Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

8.7

20.8

42%

1.2

3.2

37%

7.5

7.7

98%

James

7.2

15

48%

1.5

4.7

32%

2

3.3

60%

Playoff Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

11

21

3

5

9

9

11

1

1

3

34

27.8

Nowitzki

9

18

1

1

10

10

6

3

1

0

29

22.1

James

9

16

4

5

2

2

9

5

1

0

24

21

Nowitzki

7

18

1

2

12

12

8

2

0

0

27

17.4

James

8

15

2

7

2

4

8

4

4

1

20

15.6

Dirk versus D-Wade

Dirk and Dwyane Wade will always be linked together because of their two meetings in the NBA Finals. There is no doubting that Wade is an all-time great player, he’s a 3x NBA Champion, 2006 Finals MVP, 12x All-Star, 8x All-NBA, 3x All-Defense, and the 2009 Scoring Champ.

Dirk versus Dwyane Wade Regular Season – 21 Games

Regular Season Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

11

10

34.8

6.9

2.2

0.6

0.9

23.1

17.19

Wade

10

11

35

4.9

5.7

1.8

0.9

20.7

15.48

Regular Season Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

8.1

16.7

49%

1.3

3

44%

5.5

6

91%

Wade

7.7

16.9

45%

0.5

1.6

30%

4.9

6.9

72%

Regular Season Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

12

24

4

7

13

13

10

4

0

2

41

33.8

Nowitzki

12

14

1

1

5

5

7

3

0

1

30

29.9

Wade

12

21

1

4

6

9

6

6

2

0

31

27.5

Wade

9

21

1

3

8

9

10

5

2

2

27

25.2

Wade

7

14

0

0

3

7

5

8

8

0

17

23.1

Dirk versus Dwyane Wade Playoffs – 12 Games

The 12 playoffs game they played against each other were in the NBA Finals, once in 2011 as we have discussed and once in 2006. In the 2006 Finals Dwyane Wade averaged 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1 block per game over 6 games. It was a heartbreaking time for Mavericks fans, getting so close but not being able to raise the trophy. Then Dirk completely evened the matchup by dominating the 2011 Finals and evening the playoff win/loss between the two at 6-6.

Playoffs Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

6

6

42

10.3

2.3

0.7

0.7

24.4

16.4

Wade

6

6

41.3

7.4

4.5

2.1

1.3

30.6

24.09

Playoffs Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

7.8

19.2

40%

1.1

3.6

30%

7.8

8.4

93%

Wade

10.3

20.6

50%

0.8

2.8

29%

9.1

12.2

75%

Playoffs Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

TRB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Wade

13

20

2

7

8

12

5

6

3

1

36

34

Wade

10

18

0

0

16

21

10

5

4

3

36

32.6

Wade

14

26

1

2

13

18

13

2

2

0

42

32.5

Wade

11

28

0

2

21

25

4

4

3

0

43

29.8

Nowitzki

11

21

3

5

9

9

11

1

1

3

34

27.8

Dirk versus Nash

After being teammates for 6 years in Dallas, Steve Nash signed as a free-agent with the Phoenix Suns in 2004. Once best friends, now competitors, Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash had some battles throughout the 2000’s. They played 29 regular season games against each other and 12 hard fought playoff games. Nash, LeBron, and Duncan are the only 2x MVPs on this list. Nash is also already a member Hall of Fame and is 3rd all time in total assists behind Jason Kidd and John Stockton.

Dirk versus Steve Nash Regular Season – 29 Games

Regular Season Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

19

10

38.5

9.2

3.3

0.6

0.8

26.2

20.45

Nash

10

19

33.6

3.2

10.4

0.7

0

16.6

14.66

Regular Season Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

9.3

18.8

50%

0.9

1.9

46%

6.7

7.3

91%

Nash

6.2

13

48%

1.6

3.7

43%

2.5

2.7

94%

Regular Season Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

17

25

2

3

3

3

9

2

0

1

39

30.7

Nowitzki

12

23

0

3

12

12

11

2

0

1

36

28.7

Nowitzki

12

31

0

2

12

14

12

4

0

0

36

21.9

Nowitzki

11

19

1

2

12

12

7

4

1

0

35

26.8

Nowitzki

13

18

3

3

6

6

1

4

1

0

35

28.9

Dirk versus Steve Nash Playoffs – 12 Games

Dirk and Nash met in 2005 and 2006 in the playoffs. In 2005 the 62 win Phoenix Suns hosted the 58 win Mavericks in the Western Conference Semi Finals. Nash was MVP of the league in 2005 averaging 15.5 points and 11.5 assists per game, then in the playoffs against the Mavs he took it to another level averaging 30 points and 12 assists per game over 6 games. Nash was swishing and dishing all over Dirk and the Mavs with another former teammate Jim Jackson and future Mav Shawn Marion. Dirk was no scrub in this series, averaging 26.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game but not enough to stave off elimination in 6 games.

The next year the fortunes flipped as it was Dirk and the Mavs who won in 6 games, this time in the Western Conference Finals. Dirk put together a series of games averaging 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game including a 50 point night in Game 5 in Dallas. Nash went for 20 points and 10 assists per game in the series but he wasn’t as red hot shooting as he was the previous year. Put all together they both have some pretty incredible stats against each other over the 12 games. Oh what could have been if these two were able to stay on the same team and shoot their way through the playoffs together.

Playoffs Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

6

6

41.9

12.3

3.4

1.3

1.1

27.3

21.96

Nash

6

6

40

4.9

11.1

0.7

0.4

25.5

21.8

Playoffs Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

9.4

20.8

45%

1.2

2.7

44%

7.3

8.5

85%

Nash

9.8

18.3

54%

1.9

4.5

43%

3.9

4.1

96%

Playoffs Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

14

26

5

6

17

18

12

3

1

0

50

42.3

Nash

14

24

5

8

6

6

9

12

0

1

39

35.6

Nash

20

28

4

6

4

4

5

5

3

1

48

34.9

Nash

13

26

2

5

6

6

13

12

1

0

34

29.3

Nowitzki

12

21

0

0

6

8

14

6

1

0

30

28.5

Dirk versus The Truth

Paul Pierce was drafted #10 overall in the 1998 NBA Draft, just 1 spot behind Dirk Nowitzki (Michael Olowokandi went #1 to the Clippers). In Pierce’s 19 years in the league which ended after the 2016-2017 season, he and Dirk had faced off 36 times. In that time, Pierce also stacked some awards of his own: 2008 NBA Champion, Finals MVP, 10x All-Star, 4x All-NBA. Along with both being NBA Champions and Finals MVPs, Pierce and Dirk can also both be found on the top all-time scoring list, Pierce coming in at 15th all-time and Dirk at 7th. Oddly enough, in their 19 years in the league together, they never had the opportunity to clash in the playoffs.

Dirk versus Paul Pierce Regular Season – 36 Games

Dirk has dominated the matchups between these two, winning 25 of the 36 matchups and outscoring Pierce by about 7 points per game. Even the top games in this matchup are dominated by Dirk, owning 4 of the 5 best games, highlighted by his 33 point, 23 rebound, 8 assists, and 4 block performance in Dallas in 2002.

Regular Season Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

25

11

35.1

8.3

2.7

0.7

0.7

24.3

18.15

Pierce

11

25

32

5.2

2.6

1.3

0.5

17.9

12.97

Regular Season Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

8.5

17.4

49%

1.3

3.3

41%

6.1

6.9

88%

Pierce

5.8

12.6

46%

1.4

3.8

37%

5

6.3

80%

Regular Season Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

12

23

3

6

6

6

23

8

1

4

33

36.2

Pierce

9

16

2

5

12

12

8

4

2

0

32

29.2

Nowitzki

11

20

3

5

11

12

9

5

1

0

36

29

Nowitzki

11

20

2

7

8

8

9

7

1

1

32

27.9

Nowitzki

14

22

0

0

9

12

7

3

0

0

37

27

Dirk versus Paul Pierce Playoffs – 0 Games

Here is a video highlight of the first round of the 1998 draft where several future Mavericks were taken. Raef LaFrentz, Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter, and of course Dirk Nowitzki.

6:07 – Watch Antawn Jamison be drafted #4 by the Toronto Raptors just to be traded to the Golden State Warriors for the #5 pick, and University of North Carolina teammate, Vince Carter and cash.

13:27 – Dirk gets about 2 seconds of airtime in this video and Commissioner David Stern mentions his name as the #9 pick before it cuts right to Paul Pierce at #10. It would have been great to see Dirk with his middle-part bowl cut walk on stage and shake the commissioners hand but unfortunately he was not in attendance.

Dirk versus T-MAC

Dirk and Tracy McGrady have competed 31 different times, 24 in the regular season and 7 in the postseason. T-Mac may not be the most accomplished player on this list, no championships, no MVPs, but in his prime McGrady was a PROBLEM! He was one of the most versatile, gifted scorers that this league has ever seen and he and Dirk have had some epic duels. He is still a Hall of Famer, 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 2x Scoring Champ, and Most Improved Player when he jumped from 15 ppg in 2000 with Toronto to 26.8 ppg in 2001 with Orlando. In McGrady’s peak season with the Orlando Magic in ’02-’03 he posted a season long stat line of 32 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and .8 blocks while shooting 38% from 3 point range.

Dirk versus Tracy McGrady Regular Season – 24 Games

Many of their regular season matchups came after McGrady was traded to the division rival Houston Rockets in 2004. When it came to the regular season Dirk took it to T-Mac pretty good, winning a majority of the matchups and posting a significantly higher Game Score.

Regular Season Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

13

11

36.7

8.5

2.5

0.8

1.1

25

18.98

McGrady

11

13

32.3

4.9

4.9

1.2

0.8

19.8

15.15

Regular Season Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

8.3

17.4

48%

1.6

3.5

46%

6.7

7.6

88%

McGrady

7.3

16.5

44%

1.5

4

38%

3.8

5

75%

Regular Season Top Games

On 12/2/2004 Dirk Nowitzki and Tracy McGrady faced off in one of the greatest head to head matchups of all time, scoring a combined 101 points. It was on this day that Dirk and T-Mac each had their best performance against each other. The 53 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks from Dirk was enough to hold off the Rockets and McGrady who had 48 points 9 rebounds and 9 assists.

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

TRB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

15

32

2

5

21

22

16

2

3

4

53

48

McGrady

19

36

6

13

4

7

9

9

2

3

48

41.1

McGrady

17

29

4

11

7

9

5

7

1

1

45

37.4

Nowitzki

13

23

3

3

13

16

12

1

0

2

42

35

Nowitzki

12

17

4

4

4

4

6

6

2

3

32

30.8

Dirk versus Tracy McGrady Playoffs – 7 Games

In 2005 Dirk and the Mavs went 7 games in the first round with McGrady and the Rockets. McGrady went off in the series, averaging 30 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists compared to just 21 points and 9 rebounds for Dirk. Despite McGrady’s heroic effort throughout this series but it was the Mavericks who had the last laugh, winning game 7 by 40 points in Dallas.

Playoffs Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

4

3

42

8.9

3.3

1.6

1.9

21.3

15.33

McGrady

3

4

43

7.4

6.7

1.6

1.4

30.7

22.85

Playoffs Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

6.4

18.3

35%

0.6

2

29%

7.9

9.3

85%

McGrady

11.1

24.4

46%

2.4

6.6

37%

6

7.3

82%

Playoffs Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

TRB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

McGrady

14

28

6

10

3

3

8

7

1

1

37

29.6

McGrady

13

26

3

9

7

8

6

5

1

1

36

24.2

McGrady

14

27

3

7

3

3

5

6

2

0

34

24

McGrady

10

19

1

2

7

8

8

10

3

3

28

27.2

McGrady

10

23

2

7

6

8

9

6

1

0

28

17.2

13 points in 33 seconds. To this day this is the most ridiculous hot streak I think I have ever seen. It makes it eve sweeter that it was against the Spurs.

Here we see Shawn Bradley briefly thinking about challenging T-Mac at the rim and then immediately regretting it.

Dirk versus Vinsanity

Dirk and Vince Carter are the currently the two oldest players in the league. They both came in the NBA in the 1998 NBA draft and have competed against each other 25 times since coming into the league. Although Dirk has always been a Maverick, he has played against Carter while he was playing for 6 different teams, as well as being teammates from 2012-2014.

Dirk versus Vince Carter Regular Season – 35 Games

Dirk has won a majority of the matchups and has outplayed Vince Carter when the two met. Although Dirk hold the higher overall Game Score, it is Vinsanity who posted the top game between the two with his 34 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists in 2008 with the Nets.

Regular Season Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

21

14

33.8

6.8

2.5

0.6

0.9

19.8

14.59

Carter

14

21

28.9

4

3.2

0.9

0.5

14.8

10.06

Regular Season Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

6.7

15.3

44%

1.1

3.1

35%

5.3

5.7

92%

Carter

5.5

13.5

41%

1.2

3.6

33%

2.7

3.4

78%

Regular Season Top Games

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Carter

11

18

4

6

8

8

10

6

1

0

34

32.2

Nowitzki

12

17

4

4

4

4

6

6

2

3

32

30.8

Nowitzki

10

18

2

3

12

12

9

2

1

0

34

29.3

Nowitzki

13

20

2

4

7

9

5

1

2

2

35

29.2

Nowitzki

13

18

3

3

6

6

1

4

1

0

35

28.9

Dirk versus Vince Carter Playoffs – 0 Games

They never competed against each other in the playoffs, but they did share the court as teammates in 2014. The #1 San Antonio Spurs were tied 1-1 with the #8 seed Dallas Mavericks, looking like Duncan, Kawhi, Ginobili, and Parker were ready to seal a game 3 victory Vince Carter hit the biggest shot of his career. The Mavs would end up going on to lose in 7 games while San Antonio went on to beat LeBron James and the Miami Heat in 5 games in the 2014 NBA Finals.

The time Dirk tried to put the dunk champ on a poster…

In honor Vince Carter, here are the top 10 dunks of Dirk Nowitzki’s career.

Dirk versus The Answer

Allen Iverson was the #1 pick in the 1996 NBA draft, two years before Dirk came into the league. Iverson is an NBA icon, Hall of Famer, 2001 MVP, 7x All-NBA, 11x All-Star, 1997 Rookie of the Year, 4x scoring champ, and 3x steal champ. Dirk and AI didn’t play the same position but they are both Hall of Famers from the same era who changed the NBA in their own way. For Dirk it was being the stretch 4, a 7-footer who could shoot from anywhere. Allen Iverson forever impacted the NBA with his ‘do it my way’ swagger and killer crossover that inspired generations of kids to want to be like AI.

Dirk versus Allen Iverson Regular Season – 17 Games

Most of the matchups between these two were when Iverson was a member of the 76ers, a few while he was with the Nuggets, and one while being a Piston.

Regular Season Stats

Player

W

L

MP

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Nowitzki

9

8

36.6

9.5

3

0.5

1.3

24.6

18.95

Iverson

8

9

39.7

3.5

5.2

1.9

0.1

24.9

15.75

Regular Season Shooting

Player

FG

FGA

FG%

3P

3PA

3P%

FT

FTA

FT%

Nowitzki

8.5

17.9

48%

1.5

3.8

40%

6.1

6.8

90%

Iverson

8.8

20.1

44%

0.5

2.3

23%

6.7

8.1

83%

Regular Season Top Games

The top game between the two was by Iverson when Dallas played Denver in 2007. AI was just unstoppable in this game not just scoring and assisting, 35 points 12 assists, but also on defense, hawking Dirk and the Mavs for 6 steals.

Player

FG

FGA

3P

3PA

FT

FTA

REB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

GmSc

Iverson

12

19

0

0

11

13

1

12

6

0

35

34.6

Nowitzki

13

19

5

8

5

5

6

1

0

1

36

31.1

Iverson

15

18

1

1

4

5

2

5

2

0

35

28.9

Nowitzki

12

17

2

4

6

6

11

4

0

2

32

28.6

Nowitzki

11

20

3

6

7

7

13

2

0

0

32

27.9

Dirk versus Allen Iverson Playoffs – 0 Games

Fans never had the pleasure of seeing these two basketball icons compete in the playoffs, but to make you feel better, here is an Allen Iverson mixtape. Enjoy!

We are lucky to have witnessed an amazing two decades of basketball with Dirk Nowitzki. We have seen him raise just about every NBA trophy there is to hold and we have seen him beat some of the greatest players of all-time. As Dirk rides off into the sunset lets not forget this is the man that did the impossible by beating the Miami Superteam in ’11, put 52 on KD and OKC in the playoffs, bested T-Mac in one of the greatest duels in NBA history, and won an MVP in 2007 with LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, and Tracy McGrady all being in their prime. He gave Mavs fans everything they dreamed of then still had the humility to sacrifice in the back half of his career for the betterment of the team. 21 years ago the Mavericks traded up in the draft to get the Tall-Baller from the G, and what a ride it has been.